So, the business statement and announcement is next. I will call this item very slowly so that the Trefnydd has an opportunity to take a sip of water, but we'll move, now, to the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd.

Diolch, Llywydd. There are several changes to today's business: the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution will deliver the statement on the legislative programme; the Minister for Climate Change will make a statement on affordability, second homes and the Welsh language, and finally, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language will make a statement on curriculum reform—next steps. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Minister, can I call for a statement on biodiversity and its protection in relation to felling in Welsh Government-owned forests? So, I've been contacted, as the red squirrel champion, regarding the felling of 17 acres of Pentraeth Forest on Anglesey. This is much to the consternation of the red squirrel enthusiasts—the Red Squirrel Survival Trust and red squirrel experts like Dr Craig Shuttleworth—who believe that this will set back the conservation efforts on the island by at least a decade. Now, this is one of the few strongholds that red squirrels have, including other parts of Wales, of course, but this is the strongest area for red squirrels in the country, and I would have thought that we needed to make sure that any felling that takes place on Welsh Government land in areas such as this is done so in a way that doesn't jeopardise the conservation efforts that have been made. The squirrels trust have been calling for the intervention of the Minister to prevent this—[Interruption.]—to prevent this felling from taking place. I'm sorry, I'm finding it difficult to concentrate because of chuntering from the Plaid benches. I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate.

I'll remind you that next when you're chattering in the Chamber, Darren Millar. [Laughter.]

Touché, touché. Touché, touché. 

But carry on.

But the point of the matter is we need ministerial intervention to prevent this felling from taking place, and to swap the felling area for another coup that doesn't threaten this particular important and iconic Welsh species.

Diolch, Llywydd. I was going to say 'pot kettle black' at the start of my contribution. I had a feeling red squirrels might come up today, and certainly I know, obviously, that the nature recovery action plan sets out priorities and this is part of that. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee is currently in the initial data-gathering phase of its review of species protection, and I know the Minister is awaiting the recommendations of that and, obviously, the inter-agency group, which includes NRW, will be put out to consultation. So, I'm sure the Minister will have heard your contribution and will take that in—those views—when she looks at the recommendations.

Trefnydd, in recent weeks, I've been made aware of the experiences of people on train journeys, where they don't feel safe because people weren't keeping to social distancing and nobody was being reminded to wear masks. My colleague in Westminster Hywel Williams has seen an internal briefing given to Transport for Wales staff that tells them not to enforce social distancing. This is unsafe for passengers; it's also unsafe for people working on the trains. Many people rely on public transport to get to work; they don't have any option but to get onto these crowded trains, and, as we know, masks aren't just to keep the wearer safe, they're principally meant to keep everyone else safe, so, if people aren't reminded to wear masks in indoor spaces, it's other people who are being put at risk. So, I'd like a statement, please, from the Welsh Government addressing these concerns and telling us how they'll make sure that social distancing and mask wearing are taken more seriously by train operators.

Thank you. This is becoming, clearly, more of an issue, and as someone who uses the rail services—I came down to Cardiff yesterday, and, whilst the train was certainly not overcrowded, there were a few people who were not wearing masks. As you say, it's to protect other people, and I think we all need to be far more considerate about other people. We are still saying, aren't we, that face masks are compulsory and that we should socially distance as much as we can. This will, obviously, be part of our 21-day review, where we will be continuing to look at this, and I know that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change is aware of concerns and is having discussions with Transport for Wales, particularly, and I do hope that more information will come out from Transport for Wales.

Alun Davies. Alun Davies.

The technology doesn't seem to be working this afternoon, Presiding Officer, in terms of muting and unmuting Members. Can I—

No, it seems to have—. I apologise; it seems to have a particular issue with you, Alun Davies. [Laughter.] That's not a personal comment, by the way; it's just an issue of clarification to other Members.

Obviously being controlled by the Government. [Laughter.] Could we have a statement on the Government's out-of-hospital cardiac arrest strategy, please? I notice that this morning the Government has made more money available to support the location of defibrillators, but that is, of course, one element of the overall strategy, and I would like to hear how the progress is being made, because Wales, when the strategy was launched back in 2017, had one of the lowest levels of survival for those suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, so I think it would be useful for the Government to make a statement on that.

Could I also ask for a statement on the committee structure of this Senedd? The agreement that we've seen from Business Committee in the last few weeks seems to be reducing significantly the ability of committees to hold the Government to account, and this severely and, in my view, profoundly weakens this Parliament's ability to hold the Government to account. The Finance Committee has already written to Business Committee on this matter, but I believe it's something that all backbenchers should have the opportunity to consider and to comment upon.

The final statement I'd like is on the ICT policy that is being imposed upon us by the Commission. I asked a question last week to the Presiding Officer, and, in answer to that question, she did say that there would be a review of this policy. I think it'd be useful for all Members to understand the proposed terms of reference of this review, the timescale and nature of this review, and who will undertake this review and how decisions will be taken. Until the review reports, I do believe that this policy should now be suspended.

Thank you. I'll take those in reverse order, and, in relation to the ICT policy of the Commission, I didn't hear the question you asked of the Llywydd. But, obviously, the Llywydd is in the Chamber and has heard you and I'm sure will write to you on the specific questions that you raised. 

In relation to the committee structure, having spent many weeks as part of the Business Committee looking at the make-up and the structure of the committees, I do not think it has significantly reduced the ability of colleagues to scrutinise the Government. But, again, the Llywydd will have heard your comments. 

In relation to the cardiac arrest strategy, I do think that is something that would be worthy of an oral statement, perhaps in the autumn term. I am aware of the additional funding that's been announced, and I know this is something that's very close to your heart, if you'll pardon the pun. 

Business Minister, it was hugely disappointing that the Welsh Government were unsuccessful in ensuring fairness is at the heart of any body that they fund. Disappointment was felt across this Chamber from all parties that the sports Minister, although recognising the blatant unfairness in the reorganisation of women's football here in Wales and, to her credit, getting the Football Association of Wales to admit their failings in this regard, still couldn't persuade this publicly funded body to relook at and adapt their reorganisation of women's football in this transition year to take into account on-pitch success, which should have been at the heart of all decision making in this regard, as we all agree. Minister, we often hear Ministers stand in this Chamber talking about building a fairer Wales, but it seems that, when it comes to these warm words being followed through by bodies that are funded or partly funded by the Welsh Government, there is no reason for them to follow it. So, Minister, can we have a statement from the relevant Minister on how ensuring fairness and recognising past performance can be attached as a condition to future financial support from this Government?

Thank you. I think Laura Anne Jones does raise a very important point, and, certainly, when I'm appointing boards or you're looking at the way Welsh Government funding is given, I think things that are very important to us—social justice, making sure that sustainability is at the fore—they are issues that we look at very carefully. Obviously, the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip has made a written statement on the FAW, but we will certainly consider if there's anything further we can do. 

Trefnydd, I know that my colleague Mike Hedges raised this issue, the cladding issue, last week, but subsequently I've met with further residents in Cardiff Bay, and I know there's a demonstration this Saturday about the cladding issues in Cardiff; they're going from the BBC to the Senedd. Trefnydd, the Welsh Government needs to provide answers to these residents. They need to know the amount available, how it will be accessible, questions about who is eligible to apply and what defects will be covered. Please could we have a comprehensive statement from the Minister to answer their questions and put their concerns to rest before the recess? Trefnydd, Members of all political colours, including your own party, will continue to ask these questions until we, and, more importantly, the residents, get the answers they deserve. Diolch yn fawr. 

I know the Minister for Climate Change and her officials are absolutely working at pace around this issue, which is obviously very important to so many people. It's really important they have a safe place to live, and cladding has, we know, caused risks and can cause risks in the event of a fire, but it's obviously not the only concern. I don't think the Minister will be able to do a statement next week, which is obviously the only week left before the end of term, unfortunately, but I'm sure she will inform Members when that piece of work has been finished. 

Could I ask for one Government statement on the issue of the scourge of violence against shop workers? Violence against shop workers has doubled in recent times, including during the pandemic, and that's why the Home Affairs Committee in Westminster said that the patchwork of existing law was inadequate and why, indeed, amendments were laid last night to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill debated in Westminster to strengthen protection for shop workers, and it was supported by the shop worker union Usdaw and the Co-operative Party, amongst many others. Regrettably, this was rejected by the UK Government on a Conservative three-line whip. 

Now, as we face a rising tide of abuse and violence against shop workers, could we have a statement from Welsh Government on their work with unions and with employers in Wales to tackle this that can give a clear statement on the need for customers to treat shop workers with respect, courtesy and with dignity—the same shop workers, in retailers large and small throughout Wales, who have kept the shelves stacked and the checkouts running smoothly throughout the pandemic, so that we didn't go without? And does she share my hope that the House of Lords, where the Home Office Bill now heads, will have more sympathy with the protection of shop workers than the UK Government demonstrated last night?

Yes, I certainly do share that view. And isn't it sad that we have to remind people that all our shop workers deserve courtesy and respect? And we certainly saw last year, over the summer particularly, when I was meeting with the supermarkets regularly within my portfolio, that was always top of the agenda, unfortunately, the way that many of their staff were being treated. I worked closely with the police and other ministerial colleagues to make sure that any complaints or any assaults, verbal assaults, were recorded to make sure that the police were aware of the significant problem it unfortunately became.

I mentioned in an answer during First Minister's questions that I am meeting with the supermarkets again next week and the retail sector. I will certainly ask them if it is continuing to be a problem in the way that it was last summer. I appreciate it's always been an issue, but I do think the pandemic, unfortunately, heightened those incidents of, unfortunately, as you say, violence against our retail workers.

Minister, I have two suggestions. The Welsh Government has confirmed that the COVID booster vaccine—that is the third dose—will commence in September, and that the administration of this will happen in two stages. Teachers, however, are not in the first stage and, in my view, ought to be. I accept that this is a challenge, but we owe a lot to the staff in our schools who have done so much to support children during this pandemic, and now in making sure that their education recovers. We should have a statement in the Chamber outlining the Government's approach, because here is where announcements ought to be made. 

The No. 2 suggestion that I have: the programme for government talks a lot about the importance of the green economy. However, in the delivery of straightforward measures to support the much-needed growth in electric cars, Wales is behind the rest of the UK. No Welsh local authority features in the top 20 of authorities across the UK for rapid charging points, and only Bridgend, Cardiff and Newport make it to double figures for the number of devices installed. Will the Government outline how it proposes to speed up the installation of charging points across Wales to ensure that this much-needed programme does not run out of power? Thank you. 

Certainly, in the previous term of Government, the Welsh Government gave significant funding to our local authorities to ensure that they were able to install the charging points that would be required as people purchase more cars. It's very important that when someone is considering buying an electric car they have the confidence to know that they can travel safely. 

In relation to your first point, I absolutely agree with you around the significant hard work and commitment and dedication that have been shown by our teachers. I'm sure the Member is aware that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice in relation to the first vaccine, and the second vaccine obviously, was that it shouldn't be done on a career or a job basis. It was done on the groups, as you know, the top-nine priority groups, and I'm unaware that the JCVI have changed their advice. And, as you know, we do follow the JCVI. So, when it comes to the boosters, we will be offering the booster vaccine and the annual flu jab as soon as possible from September to, I think it's the top-four or five priority groups first. 

The first of the section 19 reports prepared by Rhondda Cynon Taf council into the 2020 floods was published last Thursday and related to Pentre. In the aftermath of its publication, we've seen a public fallout between Natural Resources Wales and RCT council about the conclusions, and calls from some local politicians for compensation and potential legal action. Further, as was reported on Sharp End last night, the leader of the Welsh Local Government Association has written to the Minister for Climate Change, calling on Welsh Government to look at the functions undertaken by NRW, how well they are performing, and whether there might be an alternative. For those who were flooded in Pentre, this public fallout has provided none of the assurances they were promised.

In light of this, and in light of the letter from the WLGA, I would like to request an urgent statement from the Minister for Climate Change, outlining how the Welsh Government intends to address the concerns raised in relation to NRW. I also hope such a statement can reflect on whether the Welsh Government will now commission an urgent independent inquiry into the 2020 floods, looking at all of the reports prepared by each organisation, so that lessons are properly learned and actions taken to mitigate the risk of flooding as far as possible in the future. There must be proper scrutiny of every organisation with responsibility for flood mitigation, which include NRW, Dŵr Cymru, Welsh Government and local authorities. This is not happening at present and needs to be urgently addressed.

Thank you. I agree with you that there should be proper scrutiny, and that's why we very much welcomed RCT's section 19 report; obviously, NRW had already produced their report. I think there are some concerning findings in the RCT section 19 report. There are clearly lessons that need to be learned following the devastating floods last year, and I think both NRW and RCT have acknowledged that in their respective reports. I am aware that the Minister for Climate Change will be meeting with NRW and RCT, and I'm sure will inform Members of the outcome of those discussions at the most appropriate time.

Leader of the house, I was listening to your response to my colleague from South Wales Central on the Plaid benches regarding the cladding scandal. And this is an issue I've raised on several occasions with you and directly with the Minister as well, and I'm grateful for the Minister's interaction over a period of time now. But there are two things I'd like to seek security over, or information, certainly, over. One is obviously Robert Jenrick's comments over the weekend that, in England certainly, through the Building Safety Bill that was laid in the House of Commons yesterday, the liability window will now be stretched to 15 years, and it will be retrospective. Could you inform us whether the Welsh Government will be taking those powers themselves, so that that would be relevant to home owners here in Wales?

And secondly, when it comes to compensation and the ability of the Welsh Government to identify funds for compensation, I do think it's a matter of urgency that the Welsh Government come forward with a statement on this, and the summer recess shouldn't be a block to that. I'm someone who personally wants to push every time for oral statements, but I do believe, in this instance, that a written statement to inform Members of the progress on this very, very important issue is required, and we shouldn't allow recess to hold over for an eight to nine-week gap until September. So, will the Government commit to bringing forward a written statement as a matter of urgency, so that Members can inform their constituents of the progress on this important matter?

I absolutely agree with you around recess. And I think what I was saying in my previous answer was that there wasn't time—. I think you actually specifically asked me whether we could have an urgent statement next week, and I don't think that that piece of work that I referred to, by the Minister for Climate Change and her officials, will be finished then. But obviously, they are looking at how we develop a funding programme, to make sure we target the right support in a very complex issue. But certainly, if the Minister is able to bring forward a written statement over recess, I'm sure that will be welcomed by Members.

Thank you, Trefnydd.